There is something special about playing at home and Sanju Samson is about to experience that feeling once again. Team India has reached Thiruvananthapuram for the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand, scheduled to be played on Saturday. With the series moving to Kerala, the spotlight has naturally shifted to the local favourite who enjoys immense support from fans in this region.
The Indian team arrived in the city on Thursday and it didn’t take long for a light-hearted moment to go viral. As the players exited the airport, skipper Suryakumar Yadav was seen playfully clearing the way for Sanju Samson. Adding humour to the situation, Surya jokingly said, “Don’t disturb Chetta. Make way for him.” The comment instantly brought smiles all around and perfectly captured the warmth Sanju Samson receives whenever he is back home.
Suryakumar Yadav continued to joke as they walked, while Sanju Samson responded with a wide smile, clearly enjoying both the attention and the gesture from his captain. The moment reflected not just team bonding but also the respect Samson commands in Kerala.
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https://x.com/SanjuSamsonFP/status/2016851007788241288
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However, behind the smiles lies pressure. Sanju Samson will be eager to turn things around at his home ground, especially after a disappointing series so far against New Zealand. Across four innings in the ongoing T20I series, he has managed just 40 runs, with 24 of those coming in Vizag on Wednesday night.
In comparison, his opening partner Abhishek Sharma has scored 152 runs from four innings, despite being dismissed for two golden ducks. What adds to the concern is that Sanju Samson has struggled on batting-friendly pitches where runs have come easily for both Indian and New Zealand batters.
With Ishan Kishan waiting in the wings and performing consistently since his return to the T20I squad, the pressure on Sanju Samson is obvious. Saturday’s match could be crucial, not just for the team but for Samson’s own confidence in front of his home crowd.
All the best to the Indian team and Sanju Samson!
